12 Days in Southern Spain with Kids:
Sevilla, Málaga + Estepona
Some places you visit, while others stay with you. Spain has always been the latter for me—the food, the light, and the slower pace make it especially meaningful to experience as a family.
Here is the itinerary from our 12-day trip through Southern Spain, blending culture, adventure, and relaxation. I created the vision for the trip, with logistical support from Carli Fernandez and Christina Battista of The Concierge Travel Group.
Our Southern Spain Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Spain with a layover in Lisbon
Day 2: Arrive in Sevilla and check into Hotel Posada del Lucero
Day 3: Private evening flamenco and tapas tour
Day 4: Guided walking tour of Sevilla, including the Cathedral and Royal Alcázar
Day 5: Visit the Sevilla Aquarium
Day 6: Travel by train to Málaga and check into Gran Hotel Miramar
Day 7: Leisure day in Málaga
Day 8: Half-day cooking class and lunch
Day 9: Day trip to Estepona with a stop at Selwo Aventura
Day 10: Leisure day
Day 11: Visit the Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta
Day 12: Travel home from Málaga
Day 1: Travel Day
We flew TAP Portugal’s business class, and I’ll be honest, with kids, it was worth every penny. It was not the most luxurious airline we’ve ever flown with, but the extra space, better meals, lounge access, early boarding, and an overall smoother experience made the long travel day feel manageable and even enjoyable.
Day 2: Arrival in Sevilla
We arrived in Sevilla and checked into Hotel Posada del Lucero, a boutique hotel that quickly became one of our favorite family stays. The location was perfect, just steps from Las Setas and an easy walk to the historic district.
Our first day was a buffer day with no real plans. We napped, wandered around, and slowly adjusted to Spain time. We stopped for lunch nearby, and somehow both kids fell asleep at the table. My husband and I ended up enjoying a quiet meal together, which felt like a small gift from the travel gods.
The hotel was incredibly welcoming to families. The staff learned our kids’ names, carried our stroller without us even asking, and made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. The rooms were spacious, breakfast was great, and most importantly, there was a pool.
Day 3: Evening Flamenco + Tapas Tour
This ended up being one of our favorite nights of the trip. We met our guide under Las Setas for a quick drink, which was the perfect way to ease into the evening and for her to get to know our family. She then brought us to an intimate flamenco show at Tablao Flamenco Las Setas. Between the emotion and the energy, it was impossible not to get swept up in it.
After the show, she took us to a few of her favorite tapas spots: Patio San Eloy and Perro Viejo, the kind of places you’d never stumble on without a local. She ordered everything, guided us through all the classics, and somehow made the whole night feel like we were old friends.
Day 4: Half-Day Walking Tour of Sevilla Cathedral & Alcázar
We spent the afternoon exploring two of Sevilla’s most iconic landmarks, the Cathedral and the Alcázar. A private guide was worth every penny, especially with little ones.
We planned the tour during nap time, and it worked perfectly. The boys slept in our Zoe Twin stroller while we explored, and we came prepared with neck fans and a spray bottle for the Andalucían heat. You can find everything we packed and actually used in my Spain packing guide.
Once the boys woke up, we entered the Alcázar, which felt like another world. They loved the gardens, ponds, and roaming peacocks, and had plenty of space to wander and explore at their own pace.
Next, we visited the Cathedral of Sevilla, and it was just as breathtaking. The soaring ceilings and intricate details are incredible, and our guide brought the history to life in a way the boys could understand. We learned about stories and symbolism we would have missed on our own, which made the experience far more meaningful.
One of the highlights was seeing the tomb of Christopher Columbus, which traveled through several locations before finding its final resting place in Sevilla.
Day 5: Sevilla Aquarium
We wanted to plan something fun and kid-friendly for our son’s second birthday, and the Sevilla Aquarium was the perfect choice. The celebration started that morning at Hotel Posada del Lucero, where the staff surprised him with a birthday pastry, candles, and singing at breakfast.
We arrived early and practically had the aquarium to ourselves. The boys moved from tank to tank, spotting sharks, sea turtles, and every kind of sea creature. It is modern, beautifully maintained, and full of interactive exhibits for young kids.
Afterward, we headed to nearby Plaza de España to admire the colorful mosaics, grab lunch, and give the boys some space to run around. You can also check out our favorite places to eat in Andalucía.
We ended the day with a special birthday dinner and a climb up Las Setas to take in the city views. In hindsight, we wish we could’ve done it after dark, but Sevilla’s summer sunsets are close to 11 PM. Still, it felt like the perfect way to wrap up his birthday and our time in Sevilla.
Day 6: Travel Day: Train to Málaga
We took an early transfer to the station and boarded the train to Málaga. Despite a few delays, the ride was smooth, scenic, and surprisingly easy with the kids. Managing a double stroller, luggage, and two toddlers was another story.
When we arrived, our private driver took us to Gran Hotel Miramar, a beautiful historic five-star hotel overlooking the Mediterranean. The property took our breath away, but what surprised us most was how welcoming it was for families. It remains one of the most kid-friendly luxury hotels we have ever stayed in.
From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond. The boys received their own amenity kits with tiny robes, children’s bath products, sponges, lotion, and chocolates at turndown.
Breakfast was incredible, with fresh pastries, hot dishes, fruit, cereals, granola bars, and plenty of snacks to bring along for the kids.
Our room was spacious and family-friendly, with a separate bed for the boys and plenty of room to relax. We were also upgraded to a ground-floor room with a walkout terrace just steps from the pool, which made everything even easier.
Day 7: Leisure Day
A much-needed slow day with nothing planned and everything easy. We spent the day by the pool and beach, found nearby playgrounds, and made time for naps.
These breather days are essential when traveling with little ones. We also discovered the hotel’s Kids Club. We were not comfortable leaving the boys unattended, but they loved stopping in with us to escape the heat, play, make crafts, and learn with a local Spanish teacher.
Day 8: Private Paella Cooking Class
One of our favorite experiences of the trip was a private paella cooking class on my birthday. It was such a fun way to celebrate, and the class was completely kid-friendly. Both boys helped with the prep and cooking from start to finish.
With our chef, we made roasted pepper salad, gazpacho, sangria, and chicken and seafood paella. We ended the class with homemade churros for dessert. To say it was our favorite meal of the trip would be an understatement.
Day 9: Day Trip to Estepona (with a Stop at Selwo Aventura)
We hired a private driver for the day and headed to Estepona, a charming coastal town known for its beaches and whitewashed streets. Traveling in a luxury vehicle with car seats, captain’s chairs, and an English-speaking driver made the day incredibly easy. We joked that we felt like diplomats, and honestly, it was worth every penny.
On the way, we stopped at Selwo Aventura, a safari-style zoo that became one of the boys’ favorite experiences of the trip. They saw elephants, lions, camels, antelope, and so many other incredible animals up close.
Estepona is one of the most gorgeous and charming places we’ve ever visited. This coastal town is picture-perfect and feels like a dream. The buildings were whitewashed, lined in deep blue and bold yellow-orange moldings, awnings, trim, and every balcony was decorated with beautiful cascading flowers and vines.
We ended up having lunch at El Gavilan del Mar, and it was a 12/10. The paella was rich, flavorful, and hearty. We barely made a dent in the pot. The kids enjoyed the paella and loved eating outside in the open air. I even found some authentic little shops selling beautiful handmade linen outfits. My favorite store was Ciruela, located at Plaza Doctor Arce, 5, 29680 in Estepona. We bought so many things during this trip that we had to stop at Corte Inglés, a Spanish department store, to buy another suitcase.
Day 10: Leisure Day
Another slow day to recharge. We spent time at the beach, grabbed gelato, wandered around the port, and soaked up the last of Málaga’s calm Mediterranean energy.
Day 11: Visit to Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta
On our last day, we visited the historic bullring, not for a show, but to explore the architecture and history. The kids enjoyed seeing the arena and walking through the museum areas. The guided audio tour and museum were very kid-friendly and interactive. The boys loved exploring the ins and outs of the bullring and even enjoyed walking on the actual arena.
Day 12: Travel Day
We took an early transfer to the airport and flew from Málaga back to Lisbon, then home. A long travel day, but a smooth one. We left feeling full, grateful, and ready to plan the next adventure.
Why Southern Spain Works for Families
Southern Spain just works with kids. The cities are walkable, the plazas give them space to run, and there is always something to see, hear, taste, or explore. It felt naturally aligned with how we like to travel as a family. The boys could move, ask questions, try new foods, and experience everything alongside us.
Families are also genuinely welcomed. No one seemed bothered by kids at dinner, even later in the evening. People spoke directly to the boys, smiled at them, and made them feel included. That alone made traveling feel so much easier.
There was also so much for them to experience, from palaces and cathedrals to flamenco, markets, gardens, beaches, and aquariums. The days felt full without feeling rushed, and there was always time to slow down when we needed it.
Southern Spain ended up being such an easy place to travel with kids. We were able to experience the cities, eat really well, spend time by the water, and still keep the pace relaxed. It was one of those trips that felt special without feeling exhausting, and we would absolutely do it again.
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